Read 2 Samuel 5
David Becomes King Over Israel
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Go Deeper
David and Saul both rose to power as kings because they had been anointed by God. However, David’s reign as king looks different than Saul’s. Saul’s reign is marked by self-destructive disobedience, impatience, and pride. David’s leadership demonstrates his obedience to God and confidence in God’s purpose for him as king.
When the Jebusites taunt David and his army because of the strength of the walls surrounding Jerusalem, David’s confidence and reliance on God is put on display. It is through David’s obedience and God’s might that the Israelites are able to conquer Jerusalem. In verse 12, we are told that David knows God has established his kingship for a purpose. He knows he is put in this position to be an instrument for God’s kingdom.
It can be easy to see the positions we hold or opportunities in front of us as ways to get what we desire. That could be a desire for influence, comfort, respect, or admiration. Maybe we’re a little more like Saul than we would like to admit. David’s rise to kingship gives us another example of how to approach leadership with humility.
Before David ever becomes King of Israel, his life is marked by an obedience to the Lord and desire to follow His will (1 Samuel 23:2, 11; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1). David has experienced God’s faithfulness before. He knows that his Father is quick to answer when he takes a moment to step away and seek His will instead of acting out of pride, fear, or self-reliance. When David is surrounded by the Philistine army, he draws away to ask God what he should do. God shows that He is faithful to answer David’s prayer and keep His word. Again, in verse 23, David is surrounded. He inquires of the Lord, and again God responds faithfully. David’s life is marked by patience, obedience, trust, and an understanding of God’s purpose for him.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” While we likely won’t become kings or queens during our time on earth, God has placed each of us in a specific position to glorify Him through that role. May we draw near to God, listen to His voice, and respond in obedience, so that He may be glorified through us.
Questions
- What positions do you hold (employee, parent, spouse, roommate, supervisor, volunteer, etc.) and how can you glorify God in those roles?
- Is there a decision or situation you are facing that you need to bring before God in prayer? Take a moment to do that now.
- Where is God calling you to be faithful and obedient? How can you take steps toward obedience today?
A Quote
“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” – Elisabeth Elliot
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5 responses to “2 Samuel 5”
10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
This is true power. Power that can only come from the Lord God Almighty!
A blog I read said this about 2 Samuel 5, ” The first battle with the Philistines was not won by David’s strength, intellect, or ability. The battle was won by David’s trust in the Lord. So, the battle is not the battle. In other words, the main struggle we have as believers is not necessarily the battle that is before us. The main struggle is remembering to turn to the Lord each time that battle rages against us!”
This is so true. Our battle is between our ears! God is ready and waiting for us to come to Him with ALL things. I always believed that I should only go to God with BIG stuff not everyday minutely stuff. God wants it all. completely all. We need to not use what worked yesterday for today. God wants us to come to Him for this day, in this time, for this Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This doesn’t mean you won’t have hard times but it does mean that God will always bring good out of them.
Even when difficulties come God tells us “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Even when you go through dark moments in your life, you won’t go through them alone, and you don’t need to fear. Scripture doesn’t promise you won’t go through dark valleys, but it does promise you won’t go through them alone.
Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” No matter what dark valleys you walk through, God’s goodness and mercy is with you every day of your life. What an amazing thought, God’s goodness and love is always pursuing you. The end result is rest and glory in the house of the Lord forever. WOOHOO!!!!
God thank You for chasing me down. THank You that You always want the best for me and that You are with me all the minutes of everyday. God I know You will lead and guide me but I must first SHEMA listen and follow with obedience. God give me ears to hear and a deep burning desire to obey in all the minutes of this day. God protect and guide the surgeon today through the minutes of my daughters knee surgery. God give me wisdom to discover You more deeply, the intelligence to understand You, the patience to wait on You, a heart to meditate on You and my life to proclaim You in all these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of work, many times as a teacher I referenced this quote by Elizabeth Elliot:
“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”
Love it!
David’s success is attributed to God’s presence and blessing. (vs 10)